After an eight-day layoff, the Niagara Purple Eagles are back on the hardwood on Thursday, Dec. 22 when they face the Quinnipiac Bobcats at 7 p.m.
The Purple Eagles and Bobcats will meet for the second-time ever exactly one year to do the date from their first meeting when Quinnipiac won 88-63 at the Gallagher Center.
Thursday’s matchup may be decided on the glass. Quinnipiac leads the nation in rebounds per game (44.4) and offensive rebounds per game (17.4) while Niagara is second in the MAAC in offensive boards per game (13.5). NU is 3-2 when its outrebounds its opponent by is 0-5 when it doesn’t.
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Juan'ya Green’s 19.9 ppg are second in the nation amongst in freshmen and 23rd in the nation. Green currently leads the MAAC in scoring and minutes played per game (37.6), fourth in assists per game (3.2), second in free throw percentage (87.5), fifth in steals (1.5).
~ This will be the third and final meeting against a team from the NEC this season. Niagara is 2-0 this season with wins over Central Connecticut State and St. Francis (Pa.) and 41-28 all-time against the conference.
~ Niagara has won four of its last five games before the Christmas Holiday. The only defeat in the run came last season against Quinnipiac on Dec. 22, 2010.
~ Niagara is third in the conference in turnover margin (+1.45).
~ Green has scored in double figures in every game this season.
Antoine Mason has scored in double figures in 10 out of 11 games.
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Marvin Jordan had a career-high seven rebounds and team-high five assists in Niagara’s last game.
~ The Purple Eagles return to the Gallagher Center to wrap up 2011 with games against UMBC on Dec. 28 and a Little 3 contest with St. Bonaventure on Dec. 30.
How To Tune In
NU fans can listen live to all the action from “The Voice of the Purple Eagles” Todd Callen. The matchup can be heard live on WWKB 1520 AM. Internet listeners can listen free online through Purple Eagles All-Access.
NU’s Big Three
The Purple Eagles have relied on their own version of the “Big Three”. Guards Juan’ya Green, Antoine Mason and Marvin Jordan are all averaging over 11.6 points per game: only Iona, Loyola and Siena have three players averaging at least that amount. The trio is playing over 34.5 minutes per game to be the only trio in the conference rank in the top 10 in minutes.
Green Spotlighted On CBSSports.com
Freshman guard Juan’ya Green was recently featured by CBSSports.com’s Jeff Borzello in the weekly “Eye On College Basketball” blog.
Click on the link below for the full story.
http://eye-on-college-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/26283066/33953680
Green Amongst Nation’s Top Scorers
Juan’ya Green is averaging 19.9 ppg to rank 23rd in the nation in scoring and is second amongst freshmen. Green’s 87.5 free throw percentage is 51st in the nation.
On The Court
Quinnipiac Bobcats (5-5, 1-1 NEC)
Quinnipiac had its three-game winning streak snapped at UMass on Saturday. Senior guard James Johnson leads the team in scoring (17.6 ppg), while sophomore forward Ike Azotam is averaging a double-double with 14.3 ppg and 11.1 rpg.
Against the Bobcats (Quinnipiac, 1-0)
Niagara and Quinnipiac met for the first time last season three days before Christmas at the Gallagher Center. The Bobcats won the outing, 88-63.
Last Meeting - December 22, 2010
Quinnipiac 88, Niagara 63
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara men’s basketball team was defeated by the Quinnipiac Bobcats, 88-63, on Wednesday night inside of the Gallagher Center in the first-ever meeting between the programs. Freshman guard Marvin Jordan tied a career-high with 17 points.
